Falcons running back returns to practice

Posted: Tuesday, August 14, 2007

FLOWERY BRANCH -Atlanta Falcons tailback back Warrick Dunn returned to practice for the first time since undergoing back surgery last month.

"You have to get out there, run around, get hit, run back to the huddle and run a play again," Dunn said. "I can usually go a whole series or a drive and really not get tired, but right now I can't run any plays without being exhausted."

Dunn, whose 9,461 career yards rank third among active players, hopes to return for the Falcons' third preseason game against Cincinnati on Aug. 27. A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Dunn surpassed 1,000 yards last year as Atlanta led the NFL in rushing for the third straight season. Dunn, 32, had surgery to repair a herniated disk five days before training camp began on July 26.

Running back Thomas Jones has a strained right calf muscle and hopes to return in time for the team's season opener, according to agent Drew Rosenhaus.

"He had an MRI on the right calf and it was determined that he has what is essentially a strain of the calf muscle," Rosenhaus said. "He said the doctor was vague in terms of how much time he would miss, but it would probably be a week-to-week injury."

Jones walked with a slight limp Monday, a day after injuring the leg, and spent most of the morning session working on a hand bike and doing calisthenics. Jones' leg had a small wrap around it.

Panthers

Tackle Kenyatta Walker signed a one-year contract. The 6-foot-5, 302-pound Walker, who spent his first six seasons with the Buccaneers, started 73 of 75 games at right and left tackle. He hurt his knee early last season and missed the final 13 games. The Buccaneers released him in the offseason.

"We thought it was an opportunity to get an experienced veteran in here to compete and add depth," general manager Marty Hurney said.

And, perhaps, friction.

Walker had a running feud with Panthers DLs Kris Jenkins and Julius Peppers starting in 2003, when Peppers took a swing at Walker after he claimed Walker was putting his hands inside his facemask. Jenkins suggested Walker should be playing in the CFL.